SANTA MONICA, California ? Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said there is no doubt that Manny Pacquiao will be crowned the next World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion when he clashes with defending titlist David Diaz on June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino here ?because he is more tactician? between the two fighters.
?Diaz may be good but Pacquiao is the more tactician,? said Arum who declared that the 29-year-old Filipino ring idol is more comfortable in the lightweight division than in the superfeatherweight division.
?He depleted himself in the 130 pounds that is why he failed to knockout (Juan Manuel) Marquez. But now he is very much comfortable in the lightweight division,? added Arum during the final West Coast press conference of the pay-per-view, 12-round championship showdown dubbed ?Lethal Combination.?
Arum said Pacquiao is more dangerous in the lightweight division than in lower divisions, including superfeatherweight division where he repulsed three seasoned names in fight business ? Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Marquez.
Meanwhile, Diaz, 32, boasted that his best weapon against the heavily favored Pacquiao is ?pressure.?
?Pressure and keep on pressure. I?m going to pressure him and beat him in his own game,? claimed Diaz.
He said he can fight tote-to-toe with Pacquiao until 12 rounds. ?If we can have it until 15 rounds, we will do it,? Diaz added.
Diaz said he will not let the opportunity pass to be known in the world as the greatest lightweight champion. He believes that ?he is still good as world champion for at least two more years? despite his age.
Diaz, four-time Golden Gloves champion and member of the 1996 US Olympic boxing team, said that when he retires, he wants people to think that he was a great world champion.
?I?m dedicating this championship belt to Mexico, to my family, my kids and my wife,? he concluded.
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